The BBC's Rosie Millard"Roald Dahl's worlds of imagination and irreverence are still an winning combination" real 28k

Friday, 10 March, 2000, 07:34 GMT

Roald Dahl voted UK's top author

Roald Dahl is popular among both children and adults

Writer Roald Dahl, whose darkly entertaining creations have delighted readers for decades, has been named as the UK's favourite author.

The late creator of James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate factory took the title in a major survey of readers to mark World Book Day.

Dahl, who has long been recognised as one of the most successful authors in the world took nearly one in 20 of the votes. Although best-known for his children's stories, he also has several books of adult short stories published.

Top ten authors

1. Roald Dahl

2. J K Rowling

3. Terry Pratchett

4. Catherine Cookson

5. Jacqueline Wilson

6. Maeve Binchy

7. Jane Austen

8. Dick Francis

9. Stephen King

10. Danielle Steele

The result has been seen as a testimony to the author's enduring appeal among both young and old.

JK Rowling, creator of the bestselling tales about Harry Potter the trainee wizard, was voted as runner up just three books into her career.

"I am just thrilled for Roald's sake that he continues to be so popular almost 10 years after his death," she said.

Catherine Cookson, who died in 1998, was voted top choice among adults, finishing fourth overall.

JK Rowling is in second place

Third place was taken by comic fantasy writer Terry Pratchett whose Discworld novels have drawn a large cult following.

World Book Day, featuring a number of literature-related events, is held annually to help promote the written word.

This year around £1m-worth of book tokens will be handed out.

Normally held on 23 April, it began in Catalonia in Spain where it is the tradition to give a book and a rose on St George's day.

This year the event has been brought forward to avoid the Easter holidays.

Among the events being held to mark the day in the UK, the British Library in London opens its Chapter and Verse exhibition, displaying original versions of some of the most important works of the past 1,000 years.